NEWARK, N.J. — If Friday’s win over the Washington Capitals offered a view of what could be for the Penguins, Saturday’s dud reminded us of the path they’ve traveled to get there.
The Penguins were outplayed by the Devils in a 3-1 loss at Prudential Center, their puck management shoddy, their execution off.
New Jersey, which dominated play for long stretches, scored twice early in the second period to pull ahead. The Penguins rallied a couple times in the third, but it turned out to be too little, too late.
The Penguins (29-22-3) looked little like the team that had won 10 of its previous 13 to jump back into the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference races.